Land-Surface Quantitative Analysis to Investigate the Spatial Distribution of Gravitational Landforms along Rocky Coasts

The increasing availability of high-quality digital elevation models (DEMs) has been associated with a growing interest in developing quantitative analyses aimed at taking advantage these detailed, updated, and promising datasets. Land-surface (LSQ) analysis is valuable for describing the land-surface topography performing measures signature specific geomorphic processes, into account site-specific geological contexts morphoclimatic settings, proving to be particularly effective transitional environments, such as rocky coasts. This paper presents results research investigating spatial distribution gravitational landforms along coasts, by means LSQ based on DEM ground resolution 2 m, derived from airborne LiDAR (light detection ranging) surveys. study area Mt. San Bartolo (Northern Marche, Italy) characterized sea cliff diffusely affected phenomena different sizes types. Geomorphological field data, interpretations remotely sensed datasets ad hoc unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flights, DEM-derived hillshades were also adapted support analysis. In detail, four morphometric variables (slope, roughness, terrain ruggedness index, standard deviation) computed outputs evaluated visual–spatial inspections raster datasets, descriptive statistics, joint comparison. Results reveal best how combined can identification mapping zones varying findings achieved coast confirm that an approach act proxy efficiently investigate slope processes coastal areas, especially those are difficult reach traditional